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Rep. Danny K. Davis opted out of running for Cook County Board President and stuck with running for Congress, where he's worked since 1997.

Davis is the chairman of the powerful House Ways and Means Committee.

A native of Arkansas, Davis was first elected to the U.S. House in 1996, representing the Illinois’ 7th district. On Dec. 24, 2008, then-Gov. Rod Blagojevichcontacted Davis to see if he was interested in Barack Obama's U.S. Senate seat. Davis turned down the offer, but said he suggested contacting Roland Burris for the same seat.